We devised this product - the 5th in the series - to support our children in using their knowledge of number within problem solving.
Having spent the first part of this semester working on the four operations, as we always do in 4th and 5th grade, we wanted our children to put those skills to the test in real life contexts. Therefore, we devised 10 challenges and put them into an Escape Room to really set the excitement levels high! It worked!
Using an Escape Room to develop curriculum knowledge is an exciting activity that will inspire learners from 3rd Grade to 6th Grade.
The curriculum content of this Escape Room is linked to:
· Math topics of number
The aim of the Escape Room is to provide jeopardy for the children to work under pressure to solve 10 challenges to save them from being locked in the Escape Room.
- A copy of the Pupil Workbook for each group
- A set of table activities for every group – prepared beforehand and given to each group after they have all completed each Code Key activity
- Initial Starting Script sharing the problem to the children
- Completion Script celebrating the completion of the challenge
- Pencil for each child (no other resources are necessary)
Children will need to be in a team that, when working together, have a good grasp of number. Reference is regularly made to all times tables. This Escape Room is ideal as a review of learning.
The activity begins by the teacher reading the Initial Message received. It clearly tells the children that they are required to solve 10 Challenges to escape the room. The only way they can get out is to collect 10 Code Keys. Failure is not an option!
What follows are 10 activities which the children must solve to discover the code to move onto the next activity.
Each activity focuses and builds the children’s knowledge in math:
· Four operations in math
· Addition including decimals
· Subtraction including decimals
· Multiplication of TU x TU
· Division of hundreds by units
· Long division (using table knowledge and beyond)
· Sequencing decimals up to two decimal points
· Finding differences
· Explaining findings within their own working
· Problem solving in each question
When all 10 activities are completed, and the children have gained the correct Code Keys from each activity, the teacher can read the final communication detailing how the children have been able to escape from the room
1. This Escape Room can be organised for all the children to complete the same challenge at the same time. They just need themselves and a pencil – no other resources are required for this Escape Room.
2. Children should be split into groups of no more than four and be placed in their own work space.
3. Each group should have a Code Key Booklet and decide on a team name
4. Read the Initial Message to the children to set the challenge in context. Discuss what this means, and what the activity entails.
5. Each group can then move to one of the set-up tables. The teacher can decide on the time the groups will have to complete each of the Challenges. Set the timer and the children complete the first Challenge they have arrived at.
6. Once the time is up on the first Challenge, the teacher may decide to check the accuracy and pace at which the children have worked at and can use the Answer Booklet to quickly assess whether the children achieve that Challenge (of course, this can also be done at the end as to maintain a sense of drama and keep the activity moving).
7. The children should then move onto the next Challenge sequentially.
8. The groups should move on through the challenges until all 10 have been completed – collecting all 10 Answer Keys.
9. At the end of the Escape Room Challenge – approximately two hours, the teacher can go through each of the Challenges to check the answers which the groups have. If they have all 10 Code Keys, they have successfully solved the Maths Escape Room and can escape!
10. For those groups who have been successful, the teacher should then read the completed statement where they find out how successful they have been.
The Escape Room should last for 2 hours.
We hope that your children enjoy this Escape Room. If they do, and you would like to view more - why not visit our Escape Room pages within our store. We have a growing number in both math and science. Click on the links below:
Math Escape Rooms
Science Escape Rooms
Thank you for visiting our store. We hope that you enjoy our resources. If you do, and would like to be notified of new products, sales and freebies, why not follow us by clicking on the star above?
Best wishes
INSPIReducation
